Instagram Says Its Algorithm Won't Promote Reels That Have a TikTok Watermark

Instagram says it's making changes to its algorithm and how it recommends Reels to users. One of the biggest new changes is that it will no longer promote Reels that have a TikTok watermark. The Verge reports: The team now recommends that Reels users post vertical videos that use music found in Instagram's library or sounds that they find on Reels. They also suggest "starting a trend" that others can participate in, like dance crazes, as well as "entertaining" and "fun" content. Reels that are mostly covered by text, are blurry, have a watermark or logo, or have a border around it won't be recommended as frequently.

"We're building on what we've learned from Explore to recommend fun and entertaining videos in places like the Reels tab, and personalize the experience," says spokesperson Devi Narasimhan in an email to The Verge. "We are getting better at using ranking signals that help us predict whether people will find a reel entertaining and whether we should recommend it." Narasimhan says Instagram user surveys demonstrated that people have a "less satisfying" Reels experience when content is recycled from other apps or is blurry, so it'll start deemphasizing that content in its recommendation software. This makes it less likely to be discovered by people who aren't following the person who posted it.

Watermark?

[Tomahawk]

It's hardly a "watermark" -- it's a big logo in the corner!

Release the source

[LenKagetsu]

I want one that will instaban anyone that shares that site's shitposts.

Re:

[Anonymous Coward]

I want one that will instaban anyone that shares that site's shitposts.

Yes.

Also:

The team now recommends that Reels users post vertical videos that use music found in Instagram's library

Anyone posting "vertical" videos needs to be killed to death repeatedly.

I can help with that

[rsilvergun]

add this to your /etc/hosts:

157.240.14.174 localhost

No more shitposts.

Re:

[ArchieBunker]

TikTok or Instagram?

Re:

[LenKagetsu]

Both.

"Instagram user surveys demonstrated that people h

[modomario]

"Instagram user surveys demonstrated that people have a "less satisfying" Reels experience when content is recycled from other apps" It's a bit too obvious of an excuse for facebook not wanting people to swap to a competing social media app and honestly whilst this will stop some bleeding I think they'll mostly fail to steal (back) that user attention because they simply fill a niche that's a bit too different.

boycott vertical videos.

[stooo]

We users should really boycott vertical videos.
Horrible stuff.

Re:

[drinkypoo]

I'm only one person, but I do that.

When I see them I often leave a comment complaining about the phone being held the wrong way, and then don't watch it.

Re:

[KiloByte]

And monitors/phones of extreme aspect ratios, in either orientation. 16:9 (or worse!) should be a capital crime.

Devote your life to making us rich.

[sabbede]

That's how I read, "They also suggest "starting a trend" that others can participate in, like dance crazes, as well as 'entertaining' and 'fun' content". Remember how social media started as a way to share things with your friends? Now it's pretty clearly, "Become an 'influencer'. Create content we can sell. Make this your life.", and I don't think it's healthy.

This TicTok wrinkle adds something fun though. Now in my mind it's like the two brothers from Myst, but they're demanding you bring them vid

Re:

[iamhassi]

That's how I read, "They also suggest "starting a trend" that others can participate in, like dance crazes, as well as 'entertaining' and 'fun' content". Remember how social media started as a way to share things with your friends? Now it's pretty clearly, "Become an 'influencer'. Create content we can sell. Make this your life.", and I don't think it's healthy.

But who’s fault is it? I admin several Facebook groups and I’m constantly sent free products to review and asked if they can promote their products. I didn’t ask for this, but I can’t say no to free products I wanted to buy anyway. Am I wrong for accepting the “free” items?

I'm conflicted on this

[NateFromMich]

It's really hard for me to decide whether I hate Instagram or TikTok more. I do hate The Verge pretty thoroughly though. It's a shame there isn't any actual tech news anymore.

You wanted this

[Anonymous Coward]

This is what you signed up for. You control the computer or it controls you. You chose the latter, you wanted to be streamed "recommended" noise to your face.

Are you surprised that the driver at the wheel has a self interest? Do you think the algorithms crossed over to self-serving just now?

I have no sympathy for the socnet sufferings of septembers, sorry.